Among the ancient Egyptians, dreams were often considered a portal to the land of the dead, full of divine influence and prognostication. But some dreams were troubling, terrifying nightmares that sometimes led to sleep paralysis.
To ward off nightmares, ancient Egyptian people recited incantations, according to Egyptologist and author Sarah James.
“A common household magical item that served the function of repelling nightmares was the defensive clay cobra, or Uraeus, a representation of the sacred cobra that frequently appeared on the headdresses of rulers,” she explains.
Nighttime was considered a period of frightening vulnerability, absent the divine light of the sun god Ra. Hence, the need for protection.
“Small figures of cobras in a defensive, striking pose were placed around a person before they went to sleep, as they were thought to repel any evil entities that might wish to do a sleeper harm.”